Petrossian, et al., in their report, remind us that groundwater is a natural resource shared among Texas and eight bordering national and international states, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana in the United States, and Tamaulipas, Nuevo, Coahuila de Zaragoza, and Chihuahua in Mexico.
Of the 30 major and minor aquifers recognized by the State of Texas, 23 aquifers are shared with one or more of these states. In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 evaluated groundwater resources in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas and compared the states in terms of water quality, water quantity, population, and groundwater uses. This report extends the federal study by describing the shared trans-border aquifers, summarizing groundwater management approaches, and identifying entities participating in natural resource management among these same states and Mexico.
The Southwestern States Water Commission serves as an advisory board to the Texas governor, working with other states including Mexico and may develop compacts to address groundwater. This commission may identify and develop sources and methods of augmenting water supplies on a regional basis after existing water supplies are fully committed. Most recent water resources planning efforts are communicated to neighboring interests through state-assisted regional water planning group activities, publications, and other collaborative local and regional water resource
activities.
Texans recognize the need for future collaboration among neighboring states and nations. Many local, regional, state, national, and international entities identified here could serve in future joint planning efforts among Texas and her bordering states. Continued technical updates of groundwater data, such as groundwater availability estimates, will help to improve policy development efforts.
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